Major changes proposed to bus network ahead of 2027 reforms
South West Wales is set to become the first region in the country to pilot a major transformation of its bus services, as Transport for Wales (TfW) and local authorities unveil a new proposal to simplify and improve the region’s public transport network.
The initiative, part of the Welsh Government’s wider bus reform programme, aims to create a more reliable, affordable and integrated transport system across Wales. The changes are expected to begin rolling out in South West Wales from summer 2027.
A new vision for public transport
The proposed changes aim to create a simplified bus system that connects seamlessly with other public transport across Wales with coordinated schedules that make it easier to plan journeys and transfer between services.
It also proposes a unified ticketing system offering consistent, affordable fares across all public transport modes.
The Welsh Government say their goal is to make public transport more accessible and attractive to a wider range of people, while reducing car dependency and supporting Wales’ climate goals.
Proposed Base Network open for feedback
TfW and the four local authorities in South West Wales – Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot, Pembrokeshire and Swansea – have jointly developed a Proposed Base Network that outlines the core bus services that they say can be delivered within current funding and resources.
The Proposed Base Network is now open for public consultation, with TfW seeking feedback on bus routes and frequency, trade-offs between journey speed and stop frequency, how to manage the transition to the new network and other factors that shape people’s experience of using bus services.
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape how public transport works for people and communities in South West Wales. We want to hear from as many people as possible to ensure the new network reflects local needs and delivers real benefits.”
Bus Reform Bill to change how services are managed
The overhaul is being driven by the Bus Reform Bill, which is currently progressing through the Senedd. Once passed, the legislation will transfer responsibility for planning bus services – including routes, timetables, fares and service standards – from private operators to public authorities.
Under the new model, the Welsh Government and TfW will work with local authorities and Corporate Joint Committees to design and manage services. Bus operators will bid for contracts to deliver services to agreed specifications, in a system known as franchising.
Franchising is intended to bring together the strengths of private, municipal and community operators within a coordinated public transport network.
Regional rollout planned through to 2030
South West Wales will be the first region to adopt the new franchising model in 2027, followed by North Wales in 2028; South East Wales in 2029; and Mid Wales in 2030.
The Welsh Government say the phased approach will allow lessons learned in South West Wales to inform the rollout in other parts of the country.
Proposed Service changes
Proposed service changes all have a lower case letter before the route number to better identify the services that are proposed to change.
Swansea
Proposed bus services in Swansea and GowerProposed bus services in Swansea
a2 Swansea – Caswell Bay/Newton
Based on existing service number: 1, 2
Routes 1 and 2 are now unified under a single number, simplifying the network. Buses will continue to alternate between Newton and Caswell Bay, but will no longer serve Thistleboon or Bracelet Bay.
a4 Singleton – Morriston Hospital
Based on existing service number: 4, 2, 24
Alternate daytime journeys now serve Parc Gwernfadog after Morriston Hospital, enhancing local access.
a6 Swansea – Port Tennant
Based on existing service number: 6
On weekdays, most buses now travel directly to Port Tennant. The service bypasses Grenfell Park, this change will shorten travel time. The complementary a44 service will serve Grenfell Park.
g11 Swansea – Carmarthen
Based on existing service number: X11, 111
This service now travels directly from Fforestfach Tesco to Loughor Bridge, then via Bynea and Llwynhendy to Llanelli.
a11 Swansea – Loughor/Llanelli
Based on existing service number: 111, 16
Alternate buses now loop around Loughor via Borough Road and Brynllwchwr instead of continuing to Llanelli. This change provides better local coverage in Loughor.
a12 Swansea – Townhill
Based on existing service number: 12, 13
Buses now only serve Townhill. They are proposed to go in one direction (anti-clockwise), simplifying the loop.
a13 Swansea – Mayhill
Based on existing service number: 12, 13
Similar to a12, buses now only serve Mayhill in an anti-clockwise direction, simplifying the loop.
a17 Swansea – Gorseinon
Based on existing service number: X13A, 111, 46
A new route operating every other hour. It travels from Swansea via the Rail Station, Gors Avenue, Fforestfach Tesco, and Gorseinon, continuing to Highfield and Llanerch Crescent. It forms part of a half-hourly service along Gors Avenue.
a20 Swansea – Killay/Dunvant
Based on existing service number: 20, 20A, 21, 22
This provides a consistent 15-minute frequency between Swansea – Sketty – Killay, under one bus route. From Killay, buses alternate destinations (e.g., Ridgeway, Derlwyn, Priors Way). Aneurin Way and New Mill Road are now served by a66.
a24 Swansea – Craig Cefn Parc/Glais
Based on existing service number: 24, 35, X6C, 45
Route 24 is now diverted via Hollett Road, replacing service 35. It no longer goes to Morriston Hospital but instead serves Graig Felen, Clydach, and either Craig Cefn Parc or Glais. A school-time journey covers Morriston Comprehensive and Bishop Vaughan schools.
a29 Swansea – Tycoch
Based on existing service number: 29, 39, 22
Unified under one bus service number for all weekday journeys. One bus per hour follows the current 29 route; the other goes via Sketty Cross and takes a loop via Harlech Crescent and Glan-yr-Afon Road. Linked with u4 for through journeys to the Rail Station.
a30 Swansea – Trallwn (Rhydyfelin)
Based on existing service number: 30, 33, 45
Operates as the current 30 from Swansea to Princess of Wales Court (Mansel Road), then via Llansamlet Tesco to Trallwn, operating a loop via Frederick Place and Rhyd-y-Felin.
a31 Swansea – Birchgrove/Morriston Hospital
Based on existing service number: 31, 33, 24, 961
One service number is used for all buses via Winch Wen. Trips terminating at Trallwn no longer serve the Frederick Place loop (see a30). Some trips between Birchgrove and Morriston Cross will serve Herbert Thomas Way instead of Tregof. The Gower College journey from service 961 is now part of this route
a33 Swansea – Cefn Hengoed
Based on existing service number: 45
This new service connects into Cefn Hengoed, with the current 45 service that currently serves Cefn Hengoed forming part of the a30
a34 Swansea – Neath
Based on existing service number: 34
Alternate journeys Mondays to Fridays divert via Birchgrove, to give new links between Birchgrove and Neath. On these days, the service is linked with the a29 to offer through journeys to Sketty and Killay.
a35 Swansea – Llangyfelach
Based on existing service number: 35
Now runs directly along Llangyfelach Road, no longer serving Hollett Road, which is now served by the a24.
a36 Swansea – Morriston
Based on existing service number: 36
Slight extension at Morriston to serve Asda.
a42 Caereithin Cross – Bishop Gore School
Based on existing service number: 43
New number for Bishop Gore School journeys currently on the 43. Early morning journeys currently numbered 42 will be numbered a43 instead.
a43 Singleton – Morriston Hospital
Based on existing service number: 43
Between Singleton and Fforestfach Cross, all journeys operate direct along Cockett Road. No longer runs between Singleton and Bus Station (see a53).
a44 Swansea – Grenfell Park
Based on existing service number: 6
This weekday service complements the a6, ensuring communities in the SA1 area and Grenfell Park are connected.
a46 Gorseinon – Morriston Hospital
Based on existing service number: 46
Now operates only during peak hours. Daytime service replaced by a47 and Gorseinon loop by a17.
a47 Gorseinon – Morriston Hospital
Based on existing service number: 46, 142
New service, from Gorseinon Bus Station via Penllergaer Llewellyn Road, Felindre, Rhydypandy to Morriston Hospital, then a loop via Maes-y-Gwernen or Llangyfelach to Morriston Cross.
a53 Swansea – Weig Fach Lane
Based on existing service number: 53, 43
Revised to start at Weig Fach Lane, then travel via Townhill, Singleton, and Brynmill to the Bus Station. Tircoed will be served by X13A during the day, and service 41 early morning.
a65 Llanrhidian – Scurlage
Based on existing service number: 115
Now runs only between Llanrhidian and Scurlage. Passengers can connect to a66 or a68 for further travel.
a66 Swansea – Llangennith
Based on existing service number: 116, 21
All journeys now operate beyond Llanrhidian to Llangennith and Llanmadoc on a standardised 90 minute frequency. Diverted in Sketty Park via New Mill Road and Aneurin Way.
a67 Llangennith – Bishopton Comp
Based on existing service number: 117
Now operates only as a school journey.
a68 Swansea – Rhossilli
Based on existing service number: 118, 119
All journeys to Rhosilli and Port Eynon now operate via Parkmill. Alternate journeys operate via Oxwich Cross or Horton Car Park. Standardised timetable, with additional journeys at peak holiday times.
a69 Llanrhidian – Killay
Based on existing service number: 119
Revised to run between Llanrhidian and Killay only, with connections to the a66 and a68
No changes are proposed to routes 3A, 5, 7, 14, 15, 16, 19, 25, 26, 28, 37, 41, 49, 51, 54, 89, 90, 91, 112, 113, 963, 964, 965, X13 or X13A,
Neath Port Talbot
Proposed bus services in Neath Port Talbot
u4 Swansea – Pontardawe/Ystradgynlais
Based on existing service number: X6, X26
This service follows the current X6 route between Swansea and Pontardawe but now uses the Bus Link between Swansea Rail Station and Landore Stadium for faster access. All journeys will run via Capel Road in Clydach. Beyond Pontardawe, the route splits: an hourly service will run to Ystradgynlais, with alternate buses serving Alltwen or a longer route via Gellideg, Cwmgors, Tairgwaith, Brynamman, and Cwmtwrch.
u21 Ystradgynlais – Ystalyfera
Based on existing service number: 121, 62, 64
Revised to include a loop north of Ystradgynlais Interchange serving Pen-y-Bryn. South of the Interchange, all buses now go via Pengorof Surgery and Gurnos to Tesco before completing the loop around Ystalyfera. One journey in each direction also serves Cwmgiedd Crossroads.
u24 Swansea – Ystradgynlais
Based on existing service number: X6, X26
This service follows the current X26 route between Swansea and Pontardawe, via Glais, continuing via Alltwen and Pantteg to Ystradgynlais. This offers faster journeys from the Swansea Valley into Swansea.
u53 Neath – Glyncorrwg
Based on existing service number: 59, 83
Based on the current 59 service, this route is extended beyond Pontrhydyfen to Cymmer, Glyncorrwg, and Abercreggan. It maintains connections at Pontrhydyfen for Port Talbot and at Cymmer for Blaengwynfi and Croeserw/Maesteg.
u54 Caewathan – Pencaerau
Based on existing service number: 4, 204
This combines the current 204 with the Pencaerau end of route 4.
u56 Neath – Longford
Based on existing service number: 4
Now operates solely between Longford and Neath, simplifying the route.
u57 Port Talbot – Neath
Based on existing service number: 202, 82, 9
Follows the current 202 route to Heol Morfa, then continues to Port Talbot via Waterside Health Centre, NPT Hospital, Aquadome, and Lake Road.
u59 Neath – Gnoll Park
Based on existing service number: 153
Proposed to extend into Gnoll Park, however, the feasibility of this is subject to further checks.
u61 Neath – Aberdulais
Based on existing service number: 161, 164
Route is now primarily between Neath and Cilfrew with increased weekday frequency. Some journeys extend to Aberdulais.
u62 Ystradgynlais – Pontneddfechan
Based on existing service number: 62, 161, 162
Extended from Banwen to Glynneath and Pontneddfechan. Connects with X7 for travel to Swansea, Neath, and Cwmgrach Roundabout. No longer serves Pen-y-Bryn (now covered by u21).
u76 Swansea – Coelbren
Based on existing service number: 38, X8, 58
Combines current routes 38 and X8. Operates a one-way loop around Onllwyn, Coelbren, and Banwen.
u82 Port Talbot – Sandfields
Based on existing service number: 9, 82
Based on the current service 9, but now runs directly via Afan Way between the Bus Station and Hospital. Early morning service has been improved.
u83 Swansea – Port Talbot/Blaengwynfi
Based on existing service number: X1, 84, 83
Based on the current 83, now extended to Swansea and Blaengwynfi/Abergwynfi. Continues to serve NPT Hospital (but not Morrisons) and maintains connections to Neath and Glyncorrwg.
u84 Port Talbot – Baglan
Based on existing service number: 202, 84
Circular route between Port Talbot and Baglan. Travels one way via the Hospital and Resource Centre, and the other via Dinas Baglan Road. All buses loop around Baglan in a clockwise direction.
u86 Port Talbot – Velindre
Based on existing service number: 66, X3
New route just serving Abbey Road and Velindre as a circular.
u87 Bridgend – Margam/Pontardawe
Based on existing service number: X1, 87, 256, 56
The current 87 is extended at both ends – from Neath to Pontardawe, and Margam to Bridgend.
u88 Port Talbot – Maesteg
Based on existing service number: X3, 66
Based on the current X3, now diverted via Taibach and Goytre.
No changes are proposed to routes 7, 55, 58, 64, 81, 150, 155, 251, 252, 900, 901, 902, 903, 905, 906, 907, 908, 909, X5
Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire
Proposed bus services in CarmarthenshireProposed bus services in Ammanford and LlanelliProposed bus services in Pembrokeshire
No other changes are proposed in Carmarthenshire or Pembrokeshire or on the Traws Cymru long-distance bus network
Have your say
TfW is encouraging residents to take part in its consultation on the proposed changes as part of its ‘base network’. The consultation is open until September 2025.
What do you think of the proposed changes? Let us know in the comments or join the conversation on our social media channels.
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